BOOMS OF ILLEGAL FIREWORKS CONTINUE TO RING OUT IN NEIGHBORHOODS ACROSS THE ISLAND.

SOME MAY THINK OF IT HARMLESS, FUN EVEN TRADITION, FIREWORKS LED TO SERIOUS INJURY, EVEN DEATH.

LAST YEAR, ILLEGAL FIREWORKS TASK FORCE FORMED TO CRACK DOWN ON THE PROBLEM.

AFTER A NEW YEAR THAT SAW THOUSAND OF ILLEGAL FIREWORKS LIGHT UP THE SKY, IS THE TASK FORCE DOING ENOUGH?

TONIGHT'S LIVE BROADCAST AND LIVESTREAM OF INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAII START NOW.

¶¶ ¶¶ ¶¶ ALOHA AND WELCOME TO INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAI.

I'M LAUREN DAY.

THE START OF THE YEAR BROUGHT A FAMILIAR SCENE TO MANY, THOUSANDS OF ILLEGAL FIREWORKS LIGHTING UP THE SKY AT MIDNIGHT.

AERIALS HAVE LONG BEEN OUTLAWED IN THE ISLANDS, BUT IT SEEMS WE SEE AND HEAR MORE OF THEM EVERY YEAR.

LAST YEAR, AN ILLEGAL FIREWORKS TASK FORCE WAS FORMED TO CRACK DOWN ON THE PROBLEM, BUT IT IS DOING ENOUGH TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR PARTICIPATION IN TONIGHT'S SHOW.

YOU CAN EMAIL OR CALL IN YOUR QUESTIONS, AND YOU’LL FIND A LIVE STREAM OF THIS PROGRAM AT PBSHAWAII.ORG AND THE PBS HAWAII FACEBOOK AND YOUTUBE PAGES.

NOW, TO OUR GUESTS.

JORDAN LOWE IS THE DIRECTOR OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT.

THE DEPARTMENT HEADS THE ILLEGAL FIREWORKS TASK FORCE.

PRIOR TO LEADING THE DEPARTMENT, HE WORKED AT THE HONOLULU PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE, THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, FIREARMS AND EXPLOSIVES AND THE IRS.

REPRESENTATIVE DAVIS TARNAS IS THE CHAIR OF THE STATE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY AND HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS.

HE REPRESENTS NORTH AND SOUTH KOHALA ON HAWAII ISLAND.

TIANA WILBUR IS INTERIM CHAIR OF THE WAIANAE COAST NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD.

SHE IS AN ENTREPRENEUR AND ACTIVE VOLUNTEER IN HER COMMUNITY, WORKING WITH KEIKI TO KUPUNA.

MAJOR MIKE LAMBERT IS A 20‑YEAR HPD VETERAN AND CURRENTLY LEADS THE NARCOTICS/VICE DIVISION.

HIS PREVIOUS ASSIGNMENTS INCLUDE PATROL, CENTRAL RECEIVING, COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND TRAINING.

HE HAS A BACHELOR’S DEGREE IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION FROM UH WEST OAHU.

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT.

DEFINITELY HOT TOPIC, I'M SURE WE'RE GOING TO GET A LOT OF VIEWER QUESTIONS THIS EVENING.

I WANT TO START WITH YOU.

TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE TASK FORCE AND WHAT HAS IT ACCOMPLISHED SO FAR?

>> SURE.

SO ON JUNE 7, 2023, GOVERNOR GREEN SIGNED ACTS 67 WHICH FORMED OR GAVE US AUTHORIZATION TO FORM THE ILLEGAL FIREWORKS TASK FORCE.

IN AN AUGUST ORGANIZED TASK FORCE WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT PARTNERS, SUCH AS HONOLULU POLICE DEPARTMENT, SHERIFF'S DIVISION, NARCOTICS ENFORCEMENT DIVISION FROM PUBLIC SAFETY, AG INVESTIGATORS ON FEDERAL PARTNERS SUCH AS BUREAU OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO AND FIREARMS HOMELAND SECURITY INVESTIGATION.

IN SEPTEMBER HE DECIDED TO LOOK AT TRADITIONALLY WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS IN TERMS OF WHY THERE WASN'T PRIOR INTERDICTIONS IN THE PAST DECADES WE REALIZED THAT ONE OF THE BIGGEST OBSTACLES WAS THE ACTUAL STORAGE AND DISPOSAL OF FIREWORKS.

MAINLY BECAUSE THEY ARE VERY HAZARDOUS TO BEGIN WITH.

SO WE TRY TO TACKLE THAT PROBLEM FIRST.

THE FIRST THING WE DID WAS PROVIDED TRAINING FOR ALL OF OUR INVESTIGATORS AND OFFICERS SO THEY COULD SAFELY HANDLE FIREWORKS.

>> FOUND A STORAGE FACILITY SO WE CAN HOLD THE CITY'S EVIDENCE SAFELY AN ABLE TO DETERMINE HOW TO DO DISPOSALS OF THE FIREWORKS.

PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE, IT IS HAZARDOUS MATERIAL.

IT'S CONSIDERED EXPLOSIVE MATERIAL.

AND REALLY ONLY THREE METHODS OR WHAT WE CONSIDER RECOMMENDED METHODS TO DISPOSE OF FIREWORKS.

THAT IS THE FUNCTION THAT'S DESIGNED.

WHICH IS BASICALLY IGNITING IT TO BURN IT, OR IT COUNTER CHARGE.

>> BASED ON MATERIAL.

>>Lauren: HOW LARGE IS THIS TASK FORCE AND HAVE YOU FOUND ANY ILLEGAL FIREWORKS TRYING TO COME INTO THE STATE SO FAR?

>> SO CUMULATIVELY, THE TASK FORCE PROBABLY CONSISTS AT ANY TIME, ANY GIVEN TIME, ABOUT 20 LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS.

AND SO FAR, FOR 2023, AND INTO THE BEGINNING OF 2024, WE SEIZED 147,000 POUNDS OF ILLEGAL FIREWORKS.

>>Lauren: PUT THAT INTO PERSPECTIVE FOR US.

CAN YOU CONCEPTUALIZE FOR VIEWERS, HOW MANY FIREWORKS IS THAT?

WHAT DOES THAT EQUIVALENT TO?

>> PROBABLY OVER 4,000 CASES OF FIREWORKS BEST WAY.

FIREWORKS COME IN DIFFERENT SIZES.

YOU HAVE LARGER 100 ROUND CAKES WHICH MIGHT FILL ONE CASE.

OR YOU MIGHT HAVE A CASE THAT CONTAINS 3‑INCH AERIAL SHELLS.

LIKE 36 TO THE CASE.

SO IT REALLY DEPENDS ON THE PRODUCT AND THE DESIGN OF THE PRODUCT.

>>Lauren: REPRESENTATIVE TARNAS, HOW WERE THESE ILLEGAL FIREWORKS?

CAN YOU SPEAK TO THIS, COMING INTO THE STATE OF HAWAII?

>> WELL, THE LEGISLATURE HAS BEEN TRYING TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE FOR YEARS.

AND WE'RE OFTEN PRESENTED WITH BILLS THAT WOULD EITHER BAN CONSUMER FIREWORKS OR FOCUS ON INTERADDICTING THE ILLEGAL FIREWORKS WHEN THEY COME INTO THE STATE.

AND AS CHAIR OF THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE I HAD TO DECIDE WHAT IS THE BEST APPROACH.

I LOOKED AT WHAT THE EXPERIENCE HERE IN CITY & COUNTY OF HONOLULU, 2010, BANNED ALL FIREWORKS EXCEPT FOR FIRECRACKERS.

DIDN'T SEEM IT MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE.

SO TRYING TO SOME PEOPLE FROM USING FIREWORKS, I DIDN'T THINK WAS THE BEST IDEA.

PEOPLE GET PERMITS, THEY GET THEIR FIRECRACKERS.

>> FIGURED THAT WAS OKAY.

GOT TO ALLOW PEOPLE TO HAVE SOME FUN DURING THOSE FEW DAYS.

SO HOW DO WE INTERCEPT THE ILLEGAL FIREWORKS COMING IN AND SO I'M TOLD THAT'S OFTEN IN THE PORTS COMING IN THROUGH SHIPS, ALSO MAILED IN THROUGH THE POSTAL SERVICE.

AND SO WE DECIDED AT THE LEGISLATURE, THAT THE BEST IDEA WAS TO BRING TOGETHER A TASK FORCE LAW ENFORCEMENT PROFESSIONALS, WAS EVERYBODY.

ALL HANDS ON DECK BECAUSE THESE ARE THE FOLKS REALLY UNDERSTAND HOW CONTRABAND IS BROUGHT INTO THE STATE.

THAT'S WHAT THIS IS.

THIS IS CONTRABAND.

HOW DO YOU BRING IN OTHER ILLEGAL PRODUCTS, DRUGS OR SOMETHING ELSE, SAME THING GOES ON HERE.

THAT'S AWAY WHAT WE DID.

FORMED TASK FORCE JUST OF THE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL.

THERE IS A MOVE TO TRY TO GET OTHERS LIKE FROM THE SHIPPING INDUSTRY INCLUDED AS WELL, BUT THEY DECIDED IT WAS BEST JUST IS TO HAVE THE LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMUNITY.

BECAUSE THEY CAN SHARE INFORMATION.

CONFIDENTIAL.

THEY HAVE ACCESS TO INFORMATION THAT CAN'T SHARE IT WITH THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

AND SO I COULDN'T BE ABLE TO FULLY ANSWER YOUR QUESTION BECAUSE I DON'T REALLY KNOW.

SO WE AT THE LEGISLATURE DECIDED LET'S GET THE PROFESSIONALS TOGETHER, FORM THIS TASK FORCE, FUND THEM, SEE IF THEY CAN ACTUALLY MAKE SOME PROGRESS.

3 MONTHS, ABLE TO INTERCEPT 147,000 POUNDS OF FIREWORKS IS A GREAT FIRST START.

AND NOW THE LEGISLATURE IS LOOKING AT MEASURES THAT WOULD PROVIDE ADDITIONAL FUNDING SUPPORT TO THE ILLEGAL FIREWORKS TASK FORCE THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT, WITH DIRECTOR LOW AND HIS TEAM, AND IT ALSO ADDRESSES SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT THEY CONFRONTED.

SINCE THEY WERE FORMED.

NEEDED TO GET SOME ADDITIONAL AUTHORITY TO BE ABLE TO SEARCH PLACES WHERE THERE WAS SUSPECTED FIREWORKS.

ABILITY TO STORE AND DESTROY THE FIREWORKS.

NEEDED TO AUTHORIZE THE DEPARTMENT LAW ENFORCEMENT AND COUNTIES TO BE ABLE TO CONDUCT THESE INSPECTIONS.

SO THERE ARE SOME THINGS THROUGH JUST THE THREE MONTHS OF WORK, OF THE TASK FORCE, FOUND THEY NEED ADDITIONAL AUTHORITIES, ADDITIONAL SUPPORT, AND SO THAT'S WHAT WE'RE WORKING AT THE LEGISLATURE RIGHT NOW.

PROVIDE THAT ADDITIONAL AUTHORITY AND PROVIDE THAT ADDITIONAL SUPPORT.

VERY PLEASED TO ASK THE LEGISLATORS TO DO INFORMAL POLL.

WHAT WAS THIS NEW YEAR'S EVE LIKE?

WAS THERE LESS FIREWORKS?

WAS THERE MORE?

WAS IT ABOUT THE SAME?

AND OVERALL, EVERYONE SAID IT WAS JUST A LITTLE BIT LESS.

NOT A LOT.

BUT JUST A LITTLE BIT LESS.

THAT'S A GREAT TREND.

LET'S KEEP GOING IN A THAT DIRECTION.

I THINK IT'S WORTH IT TO SPEND THE MONEY.

SERIOUS MONEY.

$1.2 MILLION WOULD BE ATTACHED TO THIS BILL PROVIDE ADDITIONAL SUPPORT TO THE DEPARTMENT TO CONTINUE GOOD WORK.

>>Lauren: I WANT TO PULL UP SOME VIDEO THAT ACTUALLY I SHOT OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF NEW YEAR'S EVES.

I THINK PRODUCERS FROM BEHIND THE SCENES ARE GOING TO PULL IT UP.

>> ONCE IT'S ON THE SCREEN HERE IF YOU CAN TAKE A LOOK AT IT.

I KNOW YOU'RE ALREADY FAMILIAR WITH WHAT GOES ON NEW YEAR'S EVE.

VERY FAMILIAR.

IS IT A FRUSTRATING PROBLEM TO YOU SEE THE VIDEO THAT I SHOT IN THE WAIPAHU WAIKELE AREA.

SOME OF THESE HOUSES HAVE LIKE CRAZY SHOWS GO ON FOR HOURS STRAIGHT.

IS IT A FRUSTRATING PROBLEM FOR HPD?

>> ABSOLUTELY FRUSTRATING.

IMPACTS COMMUNITY ADVERSELY AND WE HAVE TO GET THE CALLS ON IT.

ISSUE IS PRIOR TO THIS TASK FORCE, PRIOR TO FUNDING, TASK FORCE AND PRIOR FUNDING UTILIZING OUR REGULAR TOOLS AND REGULAR RESOURCES LIMITED.

400 OFFICERS SHORT FOR US LIKE TO PRIORITIZE THINGS IN PROTECTION OF PROPERTY, PROTECTION OF PEOPLE AND PROPERTY EVERYTHING ELSE KIND OF FALLS INTO NUISANCE.

FIREWORKS CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS MORE OF NUISANCE ISSUE IF GENERAL.

FOR A NIGHT LIKE THAT, NEW YEAR'S EVE, ALTHOUGH THAT IS OBVIOUS ISSUE, OBVIOUSLY NOT TACKLING THE WAY WE NEED TO BE TACKLING IT.

WE ARE ACTUALLY MORE WORRIED ABOUT FIGHT CALLS AN PEOPLE HARMING EACH OTHER FROM BEING OVERLY INTOXICATED NEW YEAR'S EVE.

>>Lauren: ASSUMING NOT ENOUGH BODIES IN THE DEPARTMENT ON NEW YEAR'S EVE TO HANDLE CALLS COMING IN, I CAN KIND OF REMEMBER I WAS OFFICER IN TOWN, WE CAN SEE FIREWORKS.

YOU CAN KIND OF KNOW THAT THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE OBVIOUSLY SHOULD BEING LOOKING EA BE LOOKING AT TRYING TO STAY VIGILANT ACTUALLY WAITING FOR FIGHT CALLS TO COME IN.

YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT HUGE PARTIES, PEOPLE GETTING DRUNK THAT'S OU OUR PRIORITY KEEP PEOPLE SAFE.

PEOPLE CAN GET HURT FROM FIREWORKS.

NEW YEAR'S EVE NIGHT, FIGHTS WE'RE CONCERNED ABOUT.

>>Lauren: WHAT ARE YOU HEARING IN THE WAIANAE COMMUNITY, HOW BODY EA BAD IS PROBLEM HOW BAD IS PROBLEM OUT THERE AND WHAT DOES YOUR COMMUNITY WANT TO SEE?

>> MOST OFTEN.

>> IT'S OUR KUPUNA, BEING LOUD BOOM OR THE HOUSE SHAKING.

THAT'S THE MOST COMMON COMPLAINT.

ASIDE FROM THEIR ANIMALS.

AND JUST ME PERSONALLY, HAVE EXPERIENCED MY ANIMAL GOING OFF INTO THE ROAD AND GETTING HIT.

BECAUSE THEY'RE STRESSED OUT FROM FIREWORKS.

WE ACTUALLY HAD ONE DOG DIE BECAUSE SHE HAD ANXIETY FROM FIREWORKS.

THAT'S THE MOST COMMON ISSUE THAT WE HEAR.

AND SO I ACTUALLY WHEN I WAS INVITED TO THIS OPPORTUNITY, I JUST KIND OF WANT TO HEAR MORE FROM THE COMMUNITY.

POSTED IT ON SOCIAL MEDIA ASKING QUESTIONS TO HEAR BACK LIKE WHAT IS THEIR PERSONAL OPINIONS OR FEELINGS?

FIRST QUESTION WAS LIKE, SHOULD WE BAN FIREWORKS?

AND SO THE THREE OPTIONS, YES, NO, OR LEGALIZE IT.

VERY BEGINNING 1% SAID WE SHOULD LEGALIZE IT.

AND THE MAJORITY SAID NO.

IT SHOULDN'T BE BANNED.

AND THEN I ASKED LEAVE LIKE COMMENTS.

AND SO SOME SUGGESTIONS WAS MAYBE WE SHOULD TRAIN PEOPLE HOW TO USE THEM BUT BUT I FEEL LIKE WE DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FIREWORKS AND FIRECRACKERS ARE.

BECAUSE WHEN I CONTINUED QUESTIONS LIKE WHY DO YOU CELEBRATE NEW YEAR'S.

IS IT A TRADITION?

CULTURAL THING?

DO YOU DO IT JUST BECAUSE OR BECAUSE EVERYBODY IS DOING IT OR JUST FOR FUN.

>> MAJORITY SAID IT WAS A TRADITION.

AND BUT LIKE WHAT WAS THE TRADITION?

SO FOR US CULTURALLY, SO MIXED IN PLATE, CALL IT, AND SO THE CHINESE CULTURE IS THE FIRECRACKER.

MORE TRADITIONALLY WHAT I WAS USED TO GROWING UP.

WASN'T VERY PRONED TO DOING FIREWORKS.

>> I WAS THE ONE PROBABLY GET HURT.

SO THAT WAS JUST KIND OF LIKE THE FEEDBACK.

THEY SAY IT'S A TRADITION.

I WONDER IF WE CAN DISTINGUISH WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FIREWORKS WE'RE ADDRESSING OR THE TRADITION OF FIRECRACKERS.

DO WE UNDERSTAND THAT THERE IS A DIFFERENCE OR ARE WE DEALING IT AS FIREWORKS AS A WHOLE?

JUST MAYBE QUALIFICATION ON THAT.

AND THEN I THINK IS DEFINITELY NECESSARY DISCUSSION.

WITH SO MANY OTHER TOPICS THAT WE'RE DISCONNECTED WITH OUR GENERATIONS TODAY, I THINK THIS IS SO VITAL FOR US TO GET OUT TO OUR COMMUNITIES AND REALLY HOPEFULLY EVERYBODY TAKES IN AND WANTS TO GAIN MORE KNOWLEDGE IN HOW CAN WE MAKE IT SAFE FOR EVERYBODY?

WE SHOULDN'T HAVE KUPUNA NOT BEING ABLE TO SLEEP AT NIGHT BECAUSE YOU WANT TO POP FIREWORKS ALL THROUGHOUT THE MONTH OF DECEMBER AND JANUARY.

AND SO I ACTUALLY FEEL LIKE IT WAS A LOT LESS IN DECEMBER.

IT WASN'T HEARING EVERY SINGLE NIGHT.

AND I WAS HOPING THAT MAYBE THEY'RE HOPEFULLY GETTING MORE RESPECTFUL EVERYBODY, NEIGHBORS AND EVERYTHING, AND WITH IT WAS PUT OUT THERE BECAUSE I FOLLOW HPD AND THINGS ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

AND WHEN THEY ASK IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING.

OR TURN IN YOUR NEIGHBOR KIND OF WAS THE TOPIC BEFORE NEW YEAR'S EVE.

AND THAT WAS ANOTHER QUESTION THAT I ASKED.

WOULD YOU TURN IN YOUR NEIGHBOR?

THE MAJORITY SAID NO.

AND IT'S BECAUSE WE HAVE TO LIVE TOGETHER.

HOOPONOPONO.

I THINK THAT'S SOME OF THE CHALLENGES AT THAT WE MIGHT SEE AND THEN OF COURSE, ABSENCE OF OFFICERS AT THAT WE NEED TO FILL.

HOPEFULLY, THAT'S UPWARD.

>>Lauren: VIEWER QUESTIONS A LOT OF COMENTS AND QUESTIONS.

FROM CAMILLE.

SINCE ILLEGAL FIREWORKS ARE COMING FROM CHINA TO THE U.S. OR HAWAII, ISN'T THAT CONSIDERED INTERSTATE COMMERCE AND SUBJECT TO FEDERAL ENFORCEMENT?

>> YES, IT IS.

SO IF FIREWORKS COMING FROM FOREIGN COUNTRY, THEY ARE SUBJECT TO INSPECTION BY CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION.

NOW, THE FIREWORKS ITSELF IS NOT ILLEGAL IF IT'S GOING TO A FEDERAL LICENSEE.

IT IS ILLEGAL IF IT'S NOT GOING TO ONE.

OR IF IT WAS DECLARED FALSELY AS DIFFERENT KIND OF ITEMS.

BUT AGAIN, YOU NEED TO LOOK AT WHAT TYPE OF FIREWORKS WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.

1.3 G TYPE AERIAL SHELLS, THE ONES THAT YOU REALLY HEAR THE LOUD BOOM ON IN THE SKY, THAT IS REGULATED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

THE CONSUMER FIREWORKS IS NOT REGULATED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

>> IT'S CONSIDERED LEGAL.

AND YOU DON'T NEED A LICENSE TO IMPORT THAT UNLESS YOU'RE MANUFACTURING.

THE CONSUMER FIREWORKS.

>> TO YOUR POINT, YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY CORRECT.

THERE'S A HUGE DIFFERENCE OR HUGE RANGE OF WHAT'S CONSIDERED CONSUMER FIREWORKS.

PEOPLE THINK THIS CONSUMER FIREWORKS IS SAFE.

THAT IS REALLY NOT TRUE.

YOU HAVE YOUR NOVELTY FIREWORKS.

>> RETAIL STORES YOU CAN PURCHASE.

ALSO HAVE THE LARGE CAKES, 100 ROUND CAKES, THAT IS ACTUALLY CLASSIFIED AS CONSUMER FIREWORKS.

1.4G FIREWORKS.

SO THERE'S THAT IS RANGE IN TERMS OF AS YOU INDICATED, WHAT IS SAFE AND WHAT IS NOT SAFE AND WHAT REQUIRES PROFESSIONAL TO PROPERLY IGNITE THOSE TYPE OF FIREWORKS.

AND USE THAT FIREWORKS.

>>Lauren: CAN YOU SPEAK TO MAYBE THE SAFETY CONCERNS WHEN ORDINARY PEOPLE ARE SHOOTING FIREWORKS OFF THEIR HOMES?

A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T THINK ABOUT THE POTENTIAL DANGERS THAT COULD HAPPEN.

>> EVERY NEW YEAR'S HANDFUL REPORT THE INJURIES.

>> DOESN'T COUNT DOZEN OTHER INJURIES BURN, PARTICULAR OUR KEIKI ARE BEING TAUGHT THAT THAT IS WHAT YOU DO ON THESE CERTAIN EVENTS.

THE BIGGER ISSUE AND I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT IS THAT LARGE AMOUNT OF FIREWORKS COMING INTO OUR CITY AND STATE, WHERE THEY BEING STORED?

UNLIKELY BEING STORED IN PROPER ENVIRONMENT.

WE ARE PROBABLY ONE SPARK AWAY FROM HAVING A REALLY BAD INCIDENT WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY.

BEING STORED IN RESIDENTIAL AREAS.

I THINK LEARNING FROM LESSONS IN LAHAINA THOUGHT THAT WOULD NEVER HAPPEN IN HAWAII.

I COULD TELL YOU RIGHT NOW, FROM THE TONS AND TONS OF FIREWORKS COMING IN, INEVITABLE WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A TRAGEDY AT SOME POINT IN OUR HISTORY.

>>Lauren: WHERE ARE PEOPLE GETTING THESE ILLEGAL FIREWORKS FROM?

ANOTHER QUESTION FROM VIEWERS.

>> COME IN FROM THE MAINLAND.

PLACES A LOT OF PLACES IN UNITED STATES WHERE IT'S LEGAL.

SO WHAT SOMEONE MAY DO IS THEY'LL PURCHASE IT LEGAL.

SEND IT DOWN TO DOCK IN CALIFORNIA.

THEN MAKE ITS WAY HERE.

ISSUE WITH THAT IS BECAUSE WE ARE IN ISLAND, AND EVERYTHING COMES IN BY BOAT, FEAR OF US DOING THESE INSPECTIONS COULD HURT SIMPLE THINGS.

RICE, TOILET PAPER, AND OTHER THINGS.

WHILE WE DO THESE INSPECTIONS.

IT IS A NEEDLE IN A HAYSTACK.

>> FEDERAL PARTNERS HAVE BEEN GREAT AT HELP US IDENTIFY SUSPECT CONTAINERS BASED ON THEIR ANALYTICS AND FEDERAL DATABASE THAT TRACK BASICALLY WHAT THEY CLAIM IS IN THE CONTAINER VERSUS ACTUAL WEIGHT OF THE CONTAINER.

AT THE END OF THE DAY COMES DOWN IN HAWAII WE CATCH IT NOW WHO DO WE DO WITH IT?

I THINK BECAUSE OF THE WAIKELE INCIDENTS YEARS PAST, 3 INDIVIDUALS WERE KILLED IN THAT EXPLOSION, I THINK A LOT OF DECISIONMAKERS AND POLICYMAKERS HAVE A LOT OF FEAR ON REPLAYING THAT TYPE OF TRAGEDY.

>>Lauren: REPRESENTATIVE TARNAS, ERIC IN KAILUA IS ASKING, HOW REALISTIC THAT THE FLOW OF ILLEGAL FIREWORKS INTO HAWAII VIA PORTS CAN BE STOPPED?

NOT POSSIBLE TO SEARCH EVERY CONTAINER YEAR‑ROUND.

SPEAK ON THAT.

>> YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.

IT'S NOT POSSIBLE TO STOP EVERYTHING.

BUT I'M HEARTENED TO SEE THAT THERE IS SUCH PROGRESS IN JUST SHORT THREE MONTHS.

150,000, OR 147,000 POUNDS.

WHEN WE HAD OUR HEARING ON THE BILL, THAT I WAS REFERRING TO, HOUSE BILL 2193, I ASKED DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT WHAT NEXT?

YOU CONFISCATED THESE.

DISPOSED OF THEM.

ARE YOU DOING INVESTIGATIONS?

YES, I CAN'T SPEAK TO ALL OF THE DETAILS, BUT WE ARE INVESTIGATING JUST AS WE WOULD WITH DRUG INTERDICTION.

FINDING OUT WHO BUY IT IS WHERE DID IT COME FROM, SUPPLY CHAIN AND WE'RE WORKING TO BUILD ENOUGH EVIDENCE THAT WE CAN HAVE A SUCCESSFUL PROSECUTION.

SO THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING.

AND I THINK THAT IS REALLY WHERE WE HAVE TO BE CONSISTENTLY PUTTING RESOURCES TOWARDS THIS IN ORDER TO SEE SUCCESS.

>> INTERDICTION AND SEEING THE ACTUAL AMOUNTS OF FIREWORKS BEING CONFISCATED IS ONE, NEXT STEP IS ARE WE SEEING SUCCESSFUL PROSECUTIONS SO WE STOP THE SUPPLY CHAIN.

>>Lauren: I HAVE A QUESTION FOR JORDEN HERE.

BUNCH OF QUESTIONS FOR YOU AS WELL.

FROM VARIOUS VIEWERS.

HAS THE TASK FORCE CHECKED OUT EVERY CHINATOWN MERCHANTS AND STORE OWNERS FOR ILLEGAL FIREWORKS.

THIS TASK FORCE LOOKING FOR ILLEGAL FIREWORKS ONLY ONE TO WEEKS FROM NEW YEAR'S EVE OR THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE YEAR?

MAYBE IF YOU CAN SPEAK TO SPECIFICALLY WHAT THE TASK FORCE IS DOING.

>> REFERENCING WHAT THE REPRESENTATIVE SAID, WE CANNOT INSPECT EVERY CONTAINER BECAUSE WE CAN'T SLOW EXAMINERS DOWN.

THAT IS ONE THING WE CANNOT DO.

WHAT WE ARE DOING IS WE USE ACTIONABLE INTELLIGENCE TO TARGET CONTAINERS AND INDIVIDUALS WOULD MIGHT BE DISTRIBUTING FIREWORKS.

THIS IS A YEAR ROUND OPERATION.

IN ANSWER TO YOUR SECOND QUESTION.

IN TERMS OF WHETHER WE'RE GOING INTO CHINATOWN OR NOT, THAT AGAIN THAT DEPENDS ON THE CIRCUMSTANCES AND THE INTELLIGENCE THAT WE RECEIVE.

THEN WE WOULD ACT ON IT.

>>Lauren: FIREWORKS THAT WERE FOUND RECENTLY, DO YOU KNOW WHO THEY WERE GOING TO OR WHO WAS PURCHASING THEM?

IS THAT CONFIDENTIAL?

>> I NEED TO DECLINE TO ANSWER THAT ONE AT THIS TIME.

>>Lauren: THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE INVESTIGATING.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

HOW IT CAME IN, WHO WAS THE PERSON WHO WAS BRINGING IT IN, WHERE IS THE SUPPLY CHAIN TO GET TO THE CONSUMER, SUPPLY CHAIN THAT'S THE SORT OF INVESTIGATION THAT HAS TO TAKE SOME TIME BECAUSE IN ORDER TO HAVE A SUCCESSFUL PROSECUTION, YOU NEED TO GET EVERYTHING CORRECT.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> BIGGER ISSUE TOO, RIGHT, IS THAT, OKAY WE KNOW THEY'RE COMING IN.

WE DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S ACTUAL ADDRESS WHERE IT'S SUPPOSE TO GO OR ACTUAL PERSON.

SO IF IT I WAS RUNNING A ILLEGAL FIREWORKS, I'M NOT GOING TO SAY MIKE LAMB AND MY ADDRESS.

IT'S GOING TO AT THAT SAY JORDAN LOW FALSE ADDRESS.

NOT GOING TO SAY MIKE LAMBERT.

I'M GOING TO KNOW IT'S GOING TO BE DELIVERED TO HER HOUSE UNDER HIS NAME.

YOU GUYS INVESTIGATORS HAVE TO ACTUALLY WAIT TILL I SHOW UP TO PICK IT UP.

BUT THAT'S ALL OF THESE LOGISTIC CHALLENGE THAT IS WE HAVE TO PROVE, NOT SIMPLY WE GOT THE CONTAINER AND THESE ARE ACTUAL PEOPLE ON THE BILLING.

WE HAVE TO PROVE THAT AND SOMETIMES THEY WILL PUT IT IN HER NAME, SEND IT TO HER HOUSE I'LL TRACK IT ON MY TRACKER AND INTERCEPT IT.

THESE ARE ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT WAYS IT'S MASKING TO PEOPLE'S OR‑MAKING IT TO PEOPLE OR OUR STATE.

MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO TACKLE.

DIRECTOR LOW, THEY ARE DOING A WONDERFUL JOB RUNNING THAT THAT TASK FORCE.

ENCOURAGED BY THE IMPROVEMENTS OF SEIZURES OVER THIS YEAR OVER LAST.

GIVE US A CHANCE AT THIS.

BEEN GOING ON FOR 20, 30 YEARS.

EVERYBODY IS LIKE YEAH WHATEVER.

>> SAY WHAT THEY WANT TO SAY REALLY EMCORNER COURAGED ABOUT LAST CAREER'S SEIZURE SEE WHAT'S HAPPENING 2024 COOPERATION OCCURRING DIFFERENT CITY, STATE, FEDERAL LEVEL.

>>Lauren: I THINK YOU CAN SPEAK TO THIS VIEWER'S EMAIL.

STANLEY SAYS, THE JERKS NEAR ME HAVE CONSTANTLY SET OFF ILLEGAL FIREWORKS AND AERIAL BOMBS EVERY DAY SINCE LAST ANOTHER AND STILL CONTINUING TO EVERY DAY.

I HAVE CALLED 911 ABOUT TWICE A DAY.

>> ANNOYING FIREWORKS KEEP GOING ON.

SOMETIMES WE THINK THAT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT DISPATCHER AND POLICE ARE FRUSTRATED DON'T GO AND CHECK THE AREA DON'T CHECK THE AREA.

>> WE ARE ABSOLUTELY FRUSTRATED WITH IT AS WELL.

ALWAYS GO CHECK.

ISSUE IS THE TIMING OF THE CALL.

SO FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN YOU CALL 911, RESPONSE TIME COULD BE ANYWHERE FROM 3 TO 7 MINUTES.

AND COMING DOWN THE STREET IN MARKED VEHICLE, THEY'RE NOT GOING TO LIGHT IT THEN.

SO IT'S CAT AND MOUSE GAME.

ISSUE IS FOR CALL LIKE THAT, 911 PLAIN CLOTHES UNIT.

DON'T HAVE AS MANY OFFICERS IN THE PAST.

DISTRICT ON CALL PLAIN UNITS TO CALL IS NOT OCCURRING.

I WANT TO APOLOGIZE.

>> EVERYONE IN THIS ROOM DEALS WITH SAME ISSUE OF THAT IRRITATING NEIGHBOR.

AND IT'S JUST KEEP CALLING.

AND HOPEFULLY IT'S TIMING WILL BE RIGHT AND VERY LEAST BE ABLE TO CITE AND MAYBE IF THEY ARE DISTRIBUTERS OR MORE ENGAGED IN FIREWORKS, HE THINKS MAYBE HE CAN HAVE SOME STIFFER PENALTIES.

>>Lauren: ANYTHING NEIGHBORS CAN DO LIKE DOES RECORDING IF THEY'RE ON THE STREET AND REPORTING.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

REPORTING, RECORDING WOULD WORK.

ONLY ISSUE AND BIGGEST HINDRANCE IS THAT YOU WOULD HAVE TO ATTEST TO THAT VIDEO.

AND THAT IS WHERE PEOPLE GET HESITANT.

IT'S ONE OF THOSE THINGS.

I CAN HEAR IT ON THE BACK.

I KNOW PROBABLY GOING TO GET A BUNCH OF NEGATIVE COMMENTS.

WE SHOULD DO SOMETHING HE'S A COP.

I GOT TO LIVE OF THAT NEIGHBORHOOD.

I'M GOING TO GO RUN AROUND CORNER TO CATCH MY NEIGHBOR.

UPSETS ME.

I CALL 911 LIKE EVERYONE ELSE.

HOPE THE TIMING IS RIGHT WHEN THE OFFICER COMES DOWN THE STREET.

GAME OF TIMING WHEN IT COMES TO VIOLATORS JUST POPPING IT FRONT OF THEIR HOUSE.

>>Lauren: MAYBE SOME YOU WANT TO CHIME IN ON IT.

MILTON EMAILED ALL WE NEED IT PLAIN CLOTHES ENFORCEMENT INDIVIDUALS TO WALK AREAS THAT DO ILLEGAL FIREWORKS AND SAFETY PRODECKS GEAR.

TO CITE THE INDIVIDUALS IN ACTION.

PROTECTION GEAR AS SIMPLE AS ASTHMA AND ANXIETY, MY THREE DOGS SUFFER LEADING UP TO THE NEW YEAR.

NOT REALISTIC WHEN YOU WOULD NEED MORE BODIES.

>> DEFINITELY NEED MORE BODIES.

TRADEOFF.

NEW YEAR'S EVE, 4TH OF JULY, BIGGER CELEBRATIONS AGAIN, BACK TO MY EARLIER COMMENT.

WE'RE WORRIED ABOUT FIGHT CALLS, DRUNK DRIVERS, SO IF WE TAKE AWAY OFFICERS IN PATROL UNIFORMS WHAT WE CALL CLASS A, PUT THEM IN PLAIN CLOTHES SITUATION WHERE YOU'RE TAKING FROM PETER TO PAY PAUL.

HIERARCHY, FIREWORKS IS CONSIDERED MORE OF A NUISANCE.

BUT TO HIS POINT, YES, IT WOULD WORK.

HOPEFULLY AS OUR STAFFING IMPROVES, WE COULD UTILIZE THOSE TYPE OF TACTICS AND ON NEW YEAR'S AND OTHER HOLIDAYS.

>>Lauren: TWO AT ONCE QUESTIONS.

FIRST ONE COMMENT.

FROM SHANNON FROM HAWAII KAI.

SHE SAYS I BELIEVE THAT THE TASK FORCE IS NOT DOING ENOUGH BECAUSE THE TASK FORCE IS MADE OF LOCAL PEOPLE AND FIREWORKS ARE PART OF LOCAL CULTURE.

THEY SHOULD USE DOGS AND MILITARY POLICE TO REGULATE AND ENFORCE USE OF ILLEGAL FIREWORKS ANOTHER VIEWER ASKING, WHAT TYPE OF TRAINING DOES THE DIDN'T HAVE TO HANDLE THE ENFORCEMENT OF ILLEGAL FIREWORKS?

>> SO OF TERMS OF FIRST QUESTION, WE DO USE SPECIAL CANINES IN OUR OPERATIONS TO TRY TO DETECT THE FIREWORKS AS IT COMES IN.

PARCELS OR SOMETIMES WITH THE CONTAINERS.

SO WE TO DO THAT.

WE HAVE SPECIAL OPERATIONS SECTIONS THAT HAVE EXPLOSIVE DETECTION CANINES.

I'M SORRY.

THE OTHER QUESTION?

>>Lauren: THE OTHER QUESTION WHAT TYPE OF TRYING DOES THE DIDN'T HAVE TO HANDLE ENFORCEMENT OF ILLEGAL FIREWORKS.

>> FIRST, TRAINING IS IDENTIFICATION SO THEY CAN TELL IF IT'S 1.3 TYPE FIVE AERIAL SHELLS, OR IF IT'S 1.4 TYPE CONSUMER FIREWORKS.

THEN THE SECOND PART OF THE TRAINING IS HOW TO SAFELY HANDLE IT.

WHAT KIND OF PROTECTIVE GEAR YOU HAVE TO WEAR.

MAKE SURE YOU DON'T HAVE TOO MUCH NYLON ON YOUR CELLPHONES.

RADIOS ANYTHING THAT CAUSES STATIC ELECTRICITY TYPE OF KNIFE TO OPEN THE CONTAINERS.

NEED A NONSPARKING TYPE BLADE.

GOES ON FROM THERE.

ATF HAS A WHAT THEY CALL CERTIFIED EXPLOSIVE SPECIALIST TRAINING.

>> THAT'S A TWO‑YEAR PROGRAM.

AND PRETTY INTENSIVE.

SO NORMALLY WHAT HAPPENS IS WHEN WE DO OPERATION, OF ANY TYPE, WE WOULD HAVE INVESTIGATORS THAT HAD BASIC TRAINING BUT THEN WE WOULD BRING IN EITHER CERTIFIED EXPLOSIVE SPECIALIST OR ATF SPECIAL AGENTS BOMB TECHNICIAN.

FBI SPECIAL SPECIALIST AGENT BOMB TECHNICIAN.

HPD BOMB SQUAD, IT'S A MULTIEFFORT.

SO THAT MAINLY WE MAKE SURE OUR PEOPLE ALSO DON'T GET HURT WHAT HAPPENED IN WAIKELE.

>> DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT IS BRAND NEW AGENCY.

JUST STANDING UP.

AND THEY'RE DOING A GREAT JOB.

I COMMEND THE DIRECTOR AND HIS TEAM BUT THEY'RE TRYING TO BUILD UP THEIR CAPACITY.

>> TRYING TO HIRE PEOPLE.

TRYING TO ACTUALLY INCREASE THE PAY FOR THEIR RECRUITS BECAUSE IT'S TOUGH TO COMPETE WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

WHO CAN PAY MORE.

SO POLICE DEPARTMENT IS TRYING TO GET MORE PEOPLE HIRED.

WE'RE ALL RUNNING SHORT.

IT'S A TOUGH CHALLENGE.

TO BUILD UP THE CAPACITY TO BE ABLE TO DO THIS WORK.

IT'S VERY IMPORTANT WORK.

I THINK WE'RE ALL COMMITTED TO IT.

BUT WE'VE JUST GOT SOME FUNDAMENTAL CHALLENGES IN ORDER TO HAVE THE CAPACITY TO DO THIS KIND OF WORK.

>>Lauren: I WANTED TO DIRECT THIS QUESTION TO BOTH YOU AND AS WELL AS REPRESENTATIVE TARNAS HERE.

RUTH FROM THE BIG ISLAND, FROM KOHALA LIVE IN RURAL AREA AROUND NEW YEAR'S BOMBS GO OFF.

LOUDER EVERY YEAR.

WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT?

REPRESENTATIVE, YOU'RE FROM THE BIG ISLAND.

I WOULD LIKE YOU TO ADDRESS THE QUESTION.

TIANA AS WELL IN WAIANAE.

RURAL AREA AS WELL.

WHAT ARE YOU TELLING YOUR COMMUNITY ABOUT WHAT THEY CAN COULD?

>> I LIVE IN RURAL AREA.

I REPRESENT VERY RURAL AREA OF HAWAII ISLAND.

AND I SHARE HER FRUSTRATIONS.

>> THAT WE ARE GETTING THESE VERY LOUD EXPLOSIONS COMING IN.

THESE ARE ILLEGAL FIREWORKS.

THESE ARE NOT ONES THAT YOU CAN GET WITH A PERMIT.

AND SO REALLY, I THINK THAT THE INTERDICTION OF THESE ILLEGAL FIREWORKS SHIPMENTS COMING IN IS THE BEST THING THAT WE CAN DO.

NOT GOING TO SEE A CHANGE RIGHT AWAY.

IT TAKES SOME TIME.

FOR US TO REDUCE THE SUPPLY THAT'S GOING TO REDUCING THE AMOUNT, FLOW OF ILLEGAL FIREWORKS COMING IN.

>> A BUNCH STORED THAT ARE BEING SOLD BIT BY BIT, SO IT'S GOING TO TAKE SOME TIME FOR US TO SEE IT'S IMPACT OF THIS.

>> AND TO REDUCE THE NUMBERS OF EXPLOSIONS THAT PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING.

I HEAR IT ALL THE TIME.

PEOPLE WHO HAVE ANIMALS THAT ARE GETTING ANXIOUS AND THEY'RE GETTING INJURED.

WE HAVE A LOT OF RANCHES THAT HAVE LIVESTOCK.

HORSE, THEY GET FRIGHTENED AND RUN INTO THE FENCE AND GET ALL INJURED.

AND THEN WE OF COURSE HAVE A LOT OF FOLKS THAT HAVE PERSONAL EXPERIENCES THAT THIS TRIGGERS, POST‑TRAUMATIC STRESS AND THAT IS VERY UPSETTING.

SO THERE'S A LOT OF HEALTH IMPACTS ACROSS THE BOARD.

SO IT'S A CRITICAL ISSUE.

>> WE HAVE TO ADDRESS IT.

>>Lauren: YOU PUT OUT THAT SOCIAL MEDIA POST.

KIND OF GETTING FEEL FOR WHAT FOLKS IN THE WAIANAE COMMUNITY HAVE TO SAY ON THIS PROBLEM.

WHAT DO YOU TELL THEM AS FAR AS WHAT THEY SHOULD DO WHEN THIS IS AN ISSUE FOR THEM IS THIS.

>> HONESTLY, BECAUSE EVERYBODY IS EITHER RELATED TO SOMEBODY OR YOU KNOW, REALLY IS TIGHT‑KNIT COMMUNITY OUT THERE.

WHEN THESE THINGS HAPPEN, SO ONE THE COMMENTS ACTUALLY CAME BACK AND WAS LIKE, YOU KNOW, AS MUCH AS I DISLIKE THESE THINGS IT'S NOT GOING TO TURN IN MY UNCLE OR NEIGHBOR OR WHATNOT.

>> END UPSET COLLUDING THEMSELVES CHILDREN MIGHT HAVE ASTHMA.

THINGS LIKE THAT.

JUST CLOSE UP ALL WINDOWS DOORS EVERYTHING TURN ON AIR CONDITIONING.

UNFORTUNATELY THAT IS WHAT WE'RE SEEING MORE.

BUT AS FAR AS A MEAN, I WOULD ACTUALLY HONESTLY ASK WHOEVER IS UTILIZING THESE THINGS, WE DON'T NEED THOSE.

WE DON'T NEED THOSE LONG ONES.

AND LET'S NOT MAKE IT LIKE WE DON'T WANT TO GET TO THE POINT WHERE WE JUST BAN EVERYTHING AND ALL.

INSTEAD OF US KIND OF CHOOSING OUR BATTLES.

IN THE SENSE, THAT CONSUMERS, LET'S JUST UTILIZE THE ONES THAT WE ARE ABLE TO USE THAT IS LEGAL FOR US TO UTILIZE.

SO THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO HAVE THESE.

THESE DISCUSSIONS OR THESE PUT US IN POSITIONS WHERE WE LOVE YOU'RE ENJOYING IT.

>> I LIKE GET TO JUST SIT AT HOME AND SEE IT ALL AROUND ME.

TO REALLY KNOW WHICH ONE IT IS OR TO SEE IS PHYSICALLY, THAT A WHOLE ANOTHER THING FOR ME TO LIKE BE SITTING THERE FILMING IT, I WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO EVEN TELL WHICH UP IN THE AIR.

>>Lauren: IT'S HARD ESPECIALLY WITH HAWAII EVERYBODY SO CLOSE.

WAIANAE CLOSE‑KNIT TIGHT‑KNIT COMMUNITY.

THIS IS QUESTIONS ALSO FOR YOU.

RELATED QUESTION HAS THE NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD TAKEN A STAND ON THE ISSUE?

DO YOU THINK PUSHING FOR TOUGHER LAWS AND MORE SEIZURES PIT NEIGHBORS AGAINST EACH OTHER?

THAT COULD BE DIFFICULT AND COMPLICATED.

>> THERE HAS BEEN OTHER AREAS OR TOPICS THAT NEIGHBORS WOULD MAYBE TURN IN THE OTHER NEIGHBOR AND THERE HAS BEEN RETALIATION OR JUST THIS LIKE ANIMOSITY AMONGST NEIGHBORS.

SO EITHER THEY MOVE AWAY OR JUST THIS CONDITION ASSISTANT CONSTANT FIGHT BETWEEN NEIGHBORS THEY'RE ALWAYS CALLING ON EACH OTHER.

SOME OF THE STORIES IS SAD WE GET IT THAT POINT.

THEY LIKE THERE WAS ANOTHER THOUGHT ON THAT QUESTION.

>>Lauren: SHE'S ASKING WOULD PUSHING TOUGHER LAWS AND MORE SEIZURES PIT NEIGHBORS AGAINST EACH OR.

>> NEVER ON OUR BOARD.

>> NEVER ON OUR AGENDA.

ACTUALLY, NOBODY ACTUALLY PHYSICALLY COME IN AND ACTUALLY COMPLAINED ABOUT IT SINCE OUR NEW BOARD OR IN THE TIME THAT I'VE BEEN SERVING ON THE BOARD.

IT IS A TOPIC THAT IS FREQUENTLY VISITED AMONGST COMMUNITY MEMBERS.

WE HAVEN'T ACTUALLY TAKEN A STAND ON IT AS A BOARD.

>>Lauren: HARD WHEN IT'S YOUR NEIGHBORS AND YOU DON'T WANT TO RUFFLE FEATHERS.

RICHARD IS ASKING, WHO IS SELLING THIS?

ORGANIZED CRIME?

MERCHANTS WHOLESALERS?

HOW ARE THEY GETTING IT?

>> YOU NAME IT, COMES DOWN TO SUPPLY AND DEMAND.

UNFORTUNATELY HUGE DEMAND IN HAWAII.

NO MATTER HOW TOUGH LAWS GET, IF THE DEMAND IS HIGH ENOUGH, SOMEONE IS WILLING TO FILL IT.

SO THE REALITY IS THE COMING IN AND IT IS ATTACHED TO ORGANIZED CRIME.

THERE ARE JUST SOME ENTREPRENEURS THAT BASICALLY DON'T DO ANYTHING ELSE ILLEGAL.

BECAUSE OF THE PREVALENCE IN HAWAII, AND THE FACT THAT PEOPLE WANT IT, THEY'LL BRING IT IN AND TAKE THAT RISK TALKING ABOUT C FELONY.

FIVE YEARS IN PRISON.

AND I THINK MOST PEOPLE REALIZE PROBABLY JUST GO GOING TO GET PROBATION.

SO IF I'M MAKING 100 GRAND A YEAR, 200 GRAND A YEAR, KNOWING THAT PERHAPS VERY UNLIKELY I'LL GET CAUGHT.

MOVING FORWARD THAT'S GOING TO CHANGE.

HISTORICALLY, UNLIKELY TO GET CAUGHT.

THEY'LL ROLL THAT DICE.

YOU GOT WHOLESALERS.

YOU GOT PEOPLE THAT ARE BRINGING IT IN UNFORTUNATELY, WITH DRUGS.

SOME OF OUR DISTRIBUTERS WERE ABLE TO TIE BACK TO DRUGS.

FOR EXAMPLE, WE DIDN'T HAVE AS MANY SEIZURES AS WEIGHT‑WISE AS THE DLE.

A LOT OF OUR SEIZURES ARE ATTACHED TO DRUG CASE.

ONCE IT GOES TO TRIAL, MINIMAL TRY TO DO IS GET THEM ON THE DRUG CHARGES WHICH HAVE A LITTLE BIT MORE TEETH.

SO FOR US, TRY TO BE MORE STRATEGIC SHORT ON RESOURCES.

GLAD DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT GETTING VOLUME STUFF.

TRYING TO SEE IF CAN HE CAN JUST A LITTLE BIT MORE STRATEGIC TO GET OFFENSE ON PEOPLE, PERHAPS END UP WITH JAIL TIME.

>> IF WE CAN REDUCE THE SUPPLY, PRICE IS GOING TO GO UP.

I'M AMAZED PEOPLE SPEND THOUSANDS AND TENS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS.

>>Lauren: I WAS GOING TO ASK HOW ARE PEOPLE SPENDING.

>> EXPENSIVE PRICE IN CALIFORNIA FOR CERTAIN TYPE OF FIREWORKS MIGHT BE FIVE DOLLARS.

OUT HERE, IT'S EIGHTY DOLLARS BECAUSE IT'S ILLEGAL.

IF WE CAN INCREASE THE PRICE THAT IS GOING TO REDUCE THE PURCHASING POWER OF THE INDIVIDUAL.

BECAUSE THEY DO HAVE TO PUT FOOD ON TABLE.

SO I THINK THAT IS PART OF THE CHALLENGE.

IS THAT RIGHT DIRECTOR?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

YOU KNOW, EARLIER, WHEN YOU TALKED ABOUT FIREWORKS THAT HAD LOUD EXPLOSIONS, THOSE ARE REALLY PROBLEMATIC FIREWORKS.

DISPLAY FIREWORKS.

THEY RANGE FROM 3‑INCH SHELL, I'VE SEEN IT 12‑INCH SHELL.

THEY ARE COMING IN.

NOW, WITH THOSE PARTICULAR TYPE OF FIREWORKS, THOSE ARE REGULATED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

IF YOU IMPORT OR DISTRIBUTE IMPORT OR DISTRIBUTE THOSE OF FIREWORKS, TEN YEAR FELONY.

TO USE THE FIREWORKS, YOU NEED A PERMIT.

MISDEMEANOR UNDER FEDERAL LAW, YOU'RE SUBJECT TO IMPRISONMENT UP TO A YEAR, AND AGAIN, YOU'RE RIGHT.

THE APPROACH THAT WE'RE TRYING TO TAKE IS TO CATCH THE IMPORTERS AND DISTRIBUTERS, AND TO LIMIT THE SUPPLY THAT IS OUT THERE.

SO IT'S HARDER FOR THE END USERS TO ACTUALLY BE ABLE TO AFFORD OR PURCHASE THE FIREWORKS.

MAJOR SAID WITH THEY WORK ON CASES WHERE YOU'RE MORE TOWARDS THE RETAIL DISTRIBUTER, THAT HELPS US BECAUSE THEY MIGHT ABLE TO IDENTIFY WHO THE WHOLESALERS ARE AND IMPORTERS ARE.

WE LOOK AT ALL OF THAT.

>>Lauren: KIND OF GOOD SEGUE TO THIS QUESTION.

MOSES IN KALIHI, FOR REPRESENTATIVE EVEN ARRESTED FOR SETTING OUT OF ILLEGAL FIREWORKS.

PENALTIES WEAK NOT ENOUGH OF DETERRENT.

WHY CAN'T THE LAWMAKERS MAKE THE LAWS TOUGHER?

>> I THINK WE DO HAVE TOUGH LAWS IF THE JUDGES DECIDE TO USE THEM.

I THINK THAT IS PART OF IT.

WE GIVE THE JUDGES DISCRETION TO BE ABLE TO CHOOSE WHAT IS THE BEST PENALTY FOR THE INDIVIDUAL.

AND I THINK AS THE DIRECTOR SAID, SOME OF THESE VERY LARGE FIREWORKS, THEY COME WITH SIGNIFICANT PENALTIES THAT THEY CAN BE LEVIED ON THEM.

SO I THINK, I'M NOT INTERESTED IN INCREASING PENALTIES IF THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BE USED BY JUDGES.

AND YOU CAN SPEAK TO THAT DIRECTOR.

BECAUSE I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF PENALTIES THAT ARE OUT THERE VERY SEVERE.

BUT OFTEN THEY'RE NOT USED BY JUDGES AND THERE'S REASONS FOR IT.

>> SURE.

OBVIOUSLY, GIVES JUDGE LATITUDE BASED ON PRESENTENCE REPORT ON WHAT KIND OF OFFENDER DISTRIBUTING THE FIREWORKS.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT EVEN THE FEDERAL STATUTES, IT COMES WITH UP TO TEN YEARS.

BUT ALSO COMES WITH $100,000 FINE.

IF NOT UP TO $250,000 FINE.

SO THE PENALTIES ARE THERE AND THEY'RE SEVERE.

BUT THEN EVERYTHING GOES BACK TO ACTUAL CRIMINAL CASE ITSELF HOW IT'S PERFECTED.

WHAT VOLUME WERE THEY DISTRIBUTING.

DID THEY HAVE A PRIOR HISTORY.

AGAIN, TIED INTO DRUGS.

BECAUSE WE, EVEN IF OUR INVESTIGATIONS, PRIOR INVESTIGATION, WE KNOW THAT DRUG DEALERS ARE ALSO BRINGING IN FIREWORKS BECAUSE IT'S A WAY TO MAKE MONEY.

>> REALIZE POTENTIALLY PENALTIES ARE LESS BECAUSE WHEN YOU BRING IN FIREWORKS, THERE'S NO, THEY CALL IT MID MAND, MINIMUM MANDATORY SENTENCE.

WHEREAS DRUGS, THERE ARE BASED ON VOLUME THAT YOU BRING IN.

SO THEY'RE DOING RISK ANALYSIS THEMSELVES.

WHAT KIND OF CRIMINAL ACTIVITY THEY WANT TO PARTAKE IN.

>>Lauren: DOING BOTH.

>> SOME OF THEM ARE DOING BOTH.

>>Lauren: WOW.

THIS QUESTION KIND OF TIES INTO WHAT TIANA WAS TALKING ABOUT JUST A LITTLE BIT AGO.

YOU MIGHT ABLE TO ADDRESS THIS.

SOME FOLKS HAVE BEEN THREATENED IF THEY GIVE ANY INFORMATION TO AUTHORITIES REGARDING OFFENDERS.

I'M GOING TO BURN YOUR HOUSE DOWN.

YOU KIND OF MENTIONED NEIGHBORS BEING VERY CAUTIOUS ABOUT WANTING TO RAT EACH OTHER OUT.

THIS VIEWER IS ASKING, WHAT SHOULD PEOPLE DO IN THAT CASE?

>> ACTUALLY AGAINST THE LAW.

CALLED INTIMIDATING WITNESS.

I BELIEVE IT'S A C FELONY.

I'M SURE THERE COULD BE SOME ENHANCEMENTS DEPENDING ON THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

YOU DO HAVE PROTECTION.

WHAT PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE A LOT OF TIMES THESE GUYS ARE JUST BULLIES MAD THAT YOU RATTED ON THEM.

YOU DO HAVE PROTECTIONS UNDER THE HAWAII REVISED STATUTE.

IF YOU REPORT A CRIME, AND NOW YOU'RE BEING RETALIATED AGAINST YOU HAVE ADDITIONAL PROTECTION BUT YOU HAVE TO LET US KNOW.

YOU IF WE DON'T KNOW, WE CAN'T ADD ON THAT ADDITIONAL CHARGE.

AND I BELIEVE INTIMIDATING A WITNESS, JUDICIAL DOES TAKE TO HEART.

DON'T WANT TO HAVE PEOPLE BEING DISCOURAGED FROM REPORTING CRIME.

>>Lauren: I HAVE A VIEWER COMMENT.

THAT I ACTUALLY WOULD LOVE TO GET EVERYBODY.

GO AROUND THE CIRCLE HERE.

>> LOVE TO GET EVERYONE'S THOUGHTS ON IT.

COMMENT IS, GIVE IT UP ALREADY.

SUPPRESSING FIREWORKS IS A LOST CAUSE.

>> MY RESPONSE WHAT DO YOU TELL THE PARENT OF CHILD THAT GOT HURT WITH FIREWORKS?

WHAT DO YOU TELL THE HOMEOWNER THAT DIDN'T SET OFF ANY FIREWORKS, BUT STRAY AERIAL ROUND HIT THEIR ROOF AND CAUSED A FIRE.

HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN BRUSH FIRES WHERE YOU FIND FIREWORKS AT THE SCENE IGNITION SCENE, WHAT DO YOU TELL THOSE PEOPLE?

AND WHAT DO YOU TELL THE SURVIVORS OF INDIVIDUAL THAT MIGHT HAVE PASSED BECAUSE A FIREWORKS INCIDENT.

THAT WOULD BE MY COMMENTS ON THAT.

>>Lauren: WHAT ABOUT FOR YOU FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD PERSPECTIVE?

>> I KNOW THERE WOULD BE A LOT THAT WOULDN'T BE TOO THRILLED WITH IT NOT BEING ABLE TO JUST BECAUSE THEY CONTINUOUSLY WILL ALWAYS, AS A COMMUNITY, WE'LL AWESOME HARP ON THE TRADITION, RIGHT?

WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO FOR NEW YEAR'S?

RIGHT?

I FEEL LIKE TRADITIONS WE CAN ALWAYS MAKE NEW TRADITIONS AND CREATE SOMETHING INDIVIDUALLY FOR OUR OWN FAMILIES ON WHAT IT IS AND POSITIVE THINGS.

SO THAT WE CAN KEEP CRIME OFF OF OUR STREETS AN OBVIOUSLY, THAT IS A PART OF CRIMINAL THINGS THAT WE ARE SEEING IN TODAY.

LIKE JUST IN OUR COMMUNITY ALONE.

WE'VE BEEN FACING A LOT OF CRIME AND EVERYTHING.

SO FOR THE COMMUNITY, I THINK WE'RE COLLECTIVELY AT A POINT OF LIKE HOW CAN WE TAKE BACK OUR COMMUNITY OR LIKE WHAT CAN BE DONE AS COMMUNITY MEMBERS?

IN US TAKING RESPONSIBILITY IN LESSENING CRIME IN OUR COMMUNITY?

IT WOULD BE FOR US GET MORE INVOLVED WITH LEGISLATIVE MATTERS, LAW ENFORCEMENT, HOW CAN WE COLLABORATIVELY WORK TOGETHER EVEN AS COMMUNITY MEMBERS.

BECAUSE IT DOES START FROM THE COMMUNITY LEVEL, OBVIOUSLY CONCERNS COME UP AND SO YOU GUYS ARE ALSO NOW TAKING ACTION, OR HAVE BEEN TRYING TO TAKE ACTION, SO I THINK AS COMMUNITIES MEMBERS, OUR PARTICIPATION IS VERY IMPORTANT.

>> I AGREE.

I AGREE.

TESTIMONY MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE AT THE LEGISLATURE.

I WOULD SAY THAT I AGREE.

PEOPLE WANT TO USE FIREWORKS.

BUT WHAT IS, THAT'S WHY I WASN'T GOING TO SUPPORT A TOTAL BAN ON CONSUMER FIREWORKS.

BILL THAT WE CONSIDERED AT THE LEGISLATURE.

I REALLY THINK THAT THE BEST WAY FOR US TO DEAL WITH THE BIG PROBLEMS IS TO REDUCE THE ILLEGAL FIREWORKS COMING INTO THE STATE.

AND THAT IS WHY I'VE BEEN ADVOCATING FOR THE ILLEGAL FIREWORKS TASK FORCE GIVEN ADDITIONAL RESOURCES THEY NEED AND LET THEM DO THEIR JOB.

PROFESSIONALLY.

TOUGH INVESTIGATIVE WORK.

GOING TO PAY OFF, THAT'S WHAT OUR BEST APPROACH IS.

PEOPLE WILL WANT TO HAVE FUN.

LIKE THIS, THIS IS TRADITION.

I'M OKAY, BUT WE JUST HAVE TO GET RID OF THOSE REALLY DANGEROUS ILLEGAL FIREWORKS AND THESE LOUD EXPLOSIVE ONES THAT ARE NOT ALLOWED.

LET'S STOP THEM FROM COMING IN THE STATE.

>>Lauren: DO YOU FEEL FROM THE HPD PERSPECTIVE SO OVERWHELMED THIS IS A LOST CAUSE ISSUE.

>> NO.

I MEAN, YOU DON'T WANT TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY THAT CAN NEVER BE DEFEATED.

SO DEFINITELY WE'RE NOT DOING A GOOD JOB.

ANYBODY ON THE ISLAND DECEMBER 31, OBVIOUS THAT'S STILL BEYOND OUR CONTROL.

BUT GIVING UP IS NOT AN OPTION.

FIGHT WITH DRUGS.

GIVE IT UP ON THE DRUGS.

GIVE IT UP ON THE GAME ROOMS.

YOUR LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY, HONOLULU POLICE DEPARTMENT ALL OTHERS, WE ARE NOT GOING TO QUIT.

IF IT'S ILLEGAL, WE'RE GOING TO JUST KEEP WORKING AT IT UNTIL WE FIGURE IT OUT.

AGAIN, TO THE CALLER'S POINT, 20, 30 YEARS, YEAH, GIVE IT UP.

>> GET IT.

YOU HAVE DIFFERENT LEADERSHIP NOW.

YOU HAVE DIFFERENT RULES.

DIFFERENT SUPPORT SYSTEMS GETTING UP, NOT AN OPTION, GIVING UP IS NOT AN OPTION.

>>Lauren: THROW IT OUT THERE.

YOU CHOOSE TO ANSWER.

DOES NOT SEEM LIKE FIREWORKS REALISTICALLY BE REGULATED.

WHY NOT LEGALIZE ALL FIREWORKS FOR NEW YEAR'S EVE ONLY.

RESERVE STATE CAN COLLECT TAX REVENUE OFF THE SALES REGULATE WHERE THEY ARE COMING FROM.

>> I THINK THE ISSUE THERE AGAIN, COMES BACK TO SAFETY ISSUE.

THERE'S DIFFERENT TYPES OF FIREWORKS OUT THERE.

I MEAN, IF YOU'RE TALKING ONLY ABOUT NOVELTY FIREWORKS, AT ONE POINT, WHAT POINT DOES IT NOT BECOME NOVELTY FIREWORKS NOW YOU'RE LOOKING AT OTHER CONSUMER FIREWORKS THAT WEIGHS 80 POUNDS HAS 100 ROUND CAKE, WHICH HAS A 100‑POUND CAKE.

>> DANGEROUS WHEN NOT USED PROPERLY, TAKE FURTHER TO THE ILLEGAL AERIALS, SHELLS, MORTAR SHELLS.

SO LEGALIZING IT FOR ONE DAY, I DON'T THINK WOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM.

STILL, CRIMINAL ELEMENT IS STILL GOING TO GAIN FINANCIALLY FROM ILLEGAL FIREWORKS THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE YEAR.

THEN PEOPLE ARE STILL GOING TO GET HURT.

THAT'S WHAT LAW ENFORCEMENT REALLY IS ALL ABOUT.

TO PROTECT THE COMMUNITY FROM GETTING HURT.

>> I ASKED THAT THE LEGISLATIVE HEARING CAN YOU GIVE US DATA ON WHAT CAUSES THE WILDFIRES.

STRUCTURE FIRES OR INJURIES.

IS IT THE CONSUMER FIREWORKS OR IS IT THE ILLEGAL FIREWORKS?

AND THE DATA IS NOT WELL TABULATED TO BE ABLE TO IDENTIFY THAT.

BUT FROM MY UNDERSTANDING, AND FROM ANECDOTAL EVIDENCE, IT'S THE ILLEGAL FIREWORKS THAT ARE CAUSING THE BRUSH FIRES.

AND THE SIGNIFICANT INJURIES THAT ARE OCCURRING REALLY THINK THAT SHOULD BE OUR FOCUS STOPPING THE FLOW OF ILLEGAL FIREWORKS COMING INTO THE STATE.

>>Lauren: THAT KIND OF LEADS TO THIS FACEBOOK QUESTION WRITTEN IN.

IF A BUILDING IS BURNED BECAUSE OF ILLEGAL FIREWORKS, WHO PAYS?

IF SOMEONE IS INJURED OR KILLED DUE TO ILLEGAL FIREWORKS, WHO PAYS?

>>WELL, IF YOU KNOW WHO SHOT THAT ILLEGAL FIREWORKS, GOT INTO A HOUSE AND BURNED, YOU'VE GOT TO SHOW THE EVIDENCE AND MAJOR YOU CAN TALK ABOUT WHAT KIND OF EVIDENCE DO YOU NEED IN ORDER TO HAVE A CASE THAT IS CAN BE PROSECUTED.

>> YOU HAVE ARSON AND OTHER CHARGES, BUT REALLY, YOU WOULD HAVE TO KNOW WHERE IT CAME FROM.

OF COURSE, THERE WOULD BE, I'M ASSUMING SOMEBODY WOULD SUE THE INDIVIDUAL THAT LIT IT.

BUT IT DOESN'T, THAT IS KIND OF AFTER THE FACT.

HOPEFULLY NOBODY GOT HURT.

YOU COULD.

SOMEBODY DID SHOOTING ILLEGAL FIREWORKS, YOU'RE ABLE TO SEE WHO IT WAS, THEY COULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE.

>>Lauren: RENEE FROM HONOLULU ASKING, ARE PEOPLE LOOKING AT THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF PHYSICAL FIREWORKS DEBRIS LEFT AFTER ALL THE FIREWORKS IF IT'S NOT CLEANED UP THAT CAN POTENTIALLY GO INTO THE SOIL, STORM DRAINS, AND POSSIBLY INTO THE OCEAN.

>> AS AN ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNER, I KNOW THAT IS HAVING SIGNIFICANT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT.

IT GETS INTO THE RUNOFF, INTO THE STREAMS, AND IT CAUSES PROBLEMS.

SO THAT IS ANOTHER NEGATIVE IMPACT ON OUR COMMUNITY FROM ILLEGAL FIREWORKS.

WE'RE SEEING DEBRIS, AIR QUALITY, LOOK OUT THERE DURING NEW YEAR'S EVE, LOOKS LIKE A WAR ZONE.

>> AIR QUALITY IS SO TERRIBLE.

PEOPLE WITH ASTHMA, PEOPLE WHO HAVE RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS, IT'S A SIGNIFICANT ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH ISSUE.

ABSOLUTELY.

I AGREE.

>>Lauren: WHAT HAPPENS AFTER NEW YEAR'S?

RIGHT NOW, DO THESE PEOPLE USE UP ALL OF THEIR FIREWORKS OR FIREWORKS SITTING IN THEIR HOUSE.

>> VAST MAJORITY OF FIREWORKS WENT UNSOLD OR DID NOT GET FIRED OFF.

THEY ARE HAZARDOUS TO OUR COMMUNITY.

REALITY IS I'M SURE THERE'S GOING TO BE, PEOPLE WATCHING ME, YEAH, WHATEVER.

I'M TELLING YOU RIGHT NOW, YOU GOT ABOUT TEN OR 15 POUNDS OF FIREWORKS STORED INCORRECTLY, SET OFF DEFINITELY YOUR HOUSE FIRE, IF NOT YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD FIRE.

FOR ME, THAT IS THE CONCERN.

AND TO THE EARLIER QUESTION, ABOUT IF WE JUST ALLOW IT FOR ONE DAY, MAKE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO REGULATE IT REST OF THE YEAR.

WAITING FOR NEW YEAR'S DAY.

HOLDING ON NEW YEAR'S DAY AS WELL, THAT IDEA IS IT WOULD MAKE IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR US TO ENFORCE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

>>Lauren: EMAIL, IS THE ATF OR HOW MUCH IS THE ATF INVOLVED IN THIS SUBJECT OF FIREWORKS?

I WOULD THINK THEY WOULD BE INITIAL LEAD INVESTIGATORS.

>> SO ATF, THEY ARE A PARTNER IN THIS TASK FORCE.

THEY'VE BEEN VERY HELPFUL WITH US.

THEY WOULD GET INVOLVED WHEN IT IS 1.3G DISPLAY.

LARGER AREA SHELLS.

>> PARTS OF THE ILLEGAL FIREWORKS TASK FORCE.

FEDERAL STATE AND COUNTY OFFICIAL INVOLVED.

GOOD LINE OF COMMUNICATION TO FIGURE OUT, HOW DO WE APPROACH THIS AND WE'VE GOT THIS INFORMATION THAT YOU NEED TO BE INVOLVED FROM THE FEDERAL SIDE, IS THAT CORRECT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

NOT ONLY IS IT ATF, WE WORK WITH CUSTOM ADD BORDER PROTECTION, WORK WITH HOME LAND SECURITY INVESTIGATIONS REGULAR CONVERSATIONS WITH ATTORNEY GENERAL ATTORNEY GENERAL OFFICE TO DISCUSS TYPE OF CASE WE HAVE.

IT IS ONGOING.

>> FBI ALSO PARTICIPATES IN THIS BECAUSE YOU'RE DEALING WITH EXPLOSIVE MATERIALS THAT CAN BE DIVERTED FOR OTHER USE.

>>Lauren: WE HAVE FEW COUPLE MINUTES LEFT.

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO TELL THE PUBLIC ABOUT HOW HARD THE TASK FORCE IS WORKING AND YOUR GOALS FOR THE FUTURE HERE IN HAWAII?

>> RIGHT NOW, THE TASK FORCE CONSISTS DEDICATED THE INVESTIGATORS AND POLICE OFFICERS FROM DIFFERENT SECTIONS, TO GIVE EXTRA TIME TO WORK ON THE TASK FORCE, STILL HAVE OTHER DUTIES TO PERFORM.

SO OBVIOUSLY, WE'RE GOING TO THANK ALL OF OUR PARTNERS AND OUR INVESTIGATORS AND WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE ON.

AS MAJOR SAID, THIS YEAR, YOU MAY NOT SEE TOO MUCH OF DIFFERENCE, BUT AS YOU GIVE US TIME, THE FOLLOWING YEARS, SUPPORT THE LEGISLATURE AND COMMUNITY, YOU WILL SEE A DIFFERENCE IN THE FUTURE.

>>Lauren: ONE MINUTE LEFT.

I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE YOU LAST WORD.

ANYTHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO SAY TO THE PUBLIC ABOUT THIS TOPIC?

>> YOU KNOW WE GOT PAST NOT TRYING TO KIND OF NOT TURNING IN YOUR NEIGHBOR.

DEFINITELY, IF YOU KNOW SOMEONE DISTRIBUTING, WE NEED TO KNOW WHO THOSE PEOPLE ARE.

ILLEGAL MONEY THEY'RE PUMPING INTO THE COMMUNITY.

IT IS A HUGE SAFETY RISK TO STORE LARGE AMOUNT OF FIREWORKS.

YOU KNOW, ONE THING TO TURN IN YOUR NEIGHBOR FOR POPPING.

IF YOUR NEIGHBOR IS DISTRIBUTING, I THINK THAT'S A MUCH DIFFERENT ISSUE.

I REALLY WOULD LIKE THEM TO CALL, GIVE US THOSE TIPS.

>>Lauren: HPD GOAL, KEEPING PUBLIC SAFE.

>> ABSOLUTELY WE WANT TO KEEP EVERYONE SAFE.

HUGE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SOMEONE POPS, IN MY BOOK, AND THOSE THAT DISTRIBUTE.

SO FOR ME AND MY ROLE, I WANT TO CATCH DISTRIBUTERS.

>>Lauren: THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR TAKING THE TIME TO BE ON THE PANEL TONIGHT.

THANK OR VIEWERS WRITING IN, CALLING, QUESTIONS IN STUDIO.

HAD JORDAN LOW FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT.

TIANA WILBUR, REPRESENTATIVE DAVID TARNAS AND MAJOR MIKE LAMBERT.

NEXT WEEK, ARE WE DOING ENOUGH TO PREVENT WILDFIRES?

IT’S BEEN SIX MONTHS SINCE THE DEVASTATING FIRES ON MAUI, SO WHAT’S HAPPENED SINCE THEN TO ADDRESS THE POTENTIAL WILDFIRE THREATS ACROSS THE STATE?

PLEASE JOIN US THEN.

I’M LAUREN DAY FOR INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAI`I.

ALOHA!

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT ¶¶ ¶¶ ¶¶